You don’t work in education because it’s easy – you do it because it matters. You want to make a difference in people’s lives. That’s what we want, too.

At PLNU, we are here for the same reasons you are: We truly believe in the power of education, and we care deeply about individuals — including you.

When you join PLNU’s Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in educational administration, you will challenge yourself to become a more effective administrator. Everyone you encounter here will share that goal with you, from your admissions counselor to your professors. Rest assured, PLNU’s School of Education will take a personal interest in you and care about your concerns, experience, beliefs, and goals.

Lasting Network of Support

PLNU’s education alumni network, Education Associates, keeps you connected long after graduation. Faculty have a reputation for staying in touch and continuing to mentor students. Career counseling and additional professional development opportunities are always available to you.

Relevant Topics to Meet Real Needs

District partnerships ensure PLNU’s curriculum addresses current needs and topics facing educators. In addition to offering accredited programs grounded in research, PLNU equips you to integrate your beliefs, values, and goals with your teaching practice.

Customizable and Convenient

Whether you are a classroom teacher, or in a workplace or nonprofit teaching or training setting, this program can be tailored to meet your needs. Six certificate options allow you to specialize in an area of interest while developing transferable, employer-desired abilities and skills. Choose from multiple locations, full- or part-time schedules, and face-to-face, online, and hybrid course options.

Spotlight

Jill Hamilton-Bunch, Ph.D.

Dr. Jill Hamilton-Bunch graduated from PLNU in 1990 with the desire to be a teacher, and that’s exactly what she’s done for the past 22 years — plus much more.

Read More

The best leaders have a deep understanding of history and tradition but are also forward thinking. They seek to impact tomorrow by transforming lives and institutions today.

In PLNU’s educational administration program, you will gain the skills and mindset to become the kind of visionary leader you know is needed today. Rooted in a solid awareness of historical practices and theories, our program will help you analyze (and even create!) the newest developments in the field. Whether you are currently working at a school site or aspire to be in school administration, we will further your ability to handle the demands of the diverse and rapidly-changing school environment. Because we know that leaders can’t be created in a vacuum, we specifically designed this cohort program to allow you to collaborate and learn from your peers and mentors in your region. Let us help you become the leader you were meant to be.

Degree and Credential Offerings:

• Master of Arts in Education with a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential: Educators who seek to lead at school sites or at the district level and are interested in obtaining a master's degree – 36 semester units
• Preliminary Administrative Services Credential only: Educators who seek to lead school sites or at the district level – 24 semester units
• Professional Clear Administrative Services Credential: New or experienced administrators who need to clear their preliminary credential – 12 semester units

When you and your classmates complete PLNU's M.A. in Education with a concentration in educational administration, you will be prepared to:

Equip

• Promote the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

Transform

• Promote the success of all students by modeling a personal code of ethics and developing professional leadership capacity.

Empower

• Promote the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
• The CPSEL* are embedded in each of the six courses. The six units of fieldwork are the application of the six CPSEL

*According to the California Teaching Commission (CTC), "The California Professional Standards for Education Leaders (CPSEL) identify what an administrator must know and be able to do to move into sustainable, effective practice. They are a set of broad policy standards that are the foundation for administrator preparation, induction, development, professional learning and evaluation in California. Taken together, the CPSEL describe critical areas of leadership for administrators and offer a structure for developing and supporting education leaders throughout their careers."

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the requirements for educator certification in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. PLNU cannot confirm whether or not specific programs meet out-of-state requirements for Professional Licensure or Certification. Information about out-of-state requirements in teacher credentialing is available on this website. 

Are you ready to take the next step and apply?

We're here to make the entire process a simple one. We'll walk you through the application process, answer your questions, and get you one step closer to earning your degree.

Program Start Date(s):

• Summer 2022 Quad II - July 4, 2022
• Fall 2022 Quad I - August 29, 2022
• Fall 2022 Quad II - October 24, 2022
• Spring 2023 Quad I - January 9, 2023
• Spring 2023 Quad II - March 13, 2023

Application Deadline(s):

• Summer 2022 Quad II - June 6, 2022

• Fall 2022 Quad I - August 1, 2022

• Fall 2022 Quad II - October 10, 2022

• Spring 2023 Quad I - December 19, 2022

• Spring 2023 Quad II - February 22, 2023

Note: Not all programs offer entry for new students each quad. Check with your enrollment counselor for programs and start dates.

Start Application

The Selection Process

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application, but if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package as well as the exceptions policy per your particular program.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission under exceptions process.

To be admitted into PLNU's Master of Arts in Education program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, as evidenced by an official transcript.

If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit an online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for PLNU alums, current or former military and their dependents, and PLNU employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
3. Submit a personal essay, 2-3 pages in length and double spaced, that addresses the following topics:
   • Describe your professional career goals for the next five years.
   • Describe the variety of experiences that helped you determine these goals.
   • Explain what motivates you to work in California’s diverse schools.
   • Explain why you are applying to PLNU, a private Christian university.
4. Provide two professional recommendations. You will be asked to register your recommenders by providing their names, titles, and email addresses.
5. For credential seekers only: Submit basic skills exam (CBEST or equivalent) scores. This can be demonstrated by taking the CBEST exam
   • OR Multiple Subject CSET plus writing skills examination
   • OR CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examination
   • OR providing proof of a valid California teaching credential

Start Application

*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree, you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

The Master of Arts in Education with an educational administration focus will prepare you to lead at the school site or district level or to continue leading at those levels with greater effectiveness.

Career opportunities include:

• Principal or Vice-Principal
• District Administrator
• Instructional Coordinator
• Curriculum Specialist
• Program Director
• College or University Provost or Dean
• College or University Department Chair
• Admissions Counselor
• University Registrar

Detailed course information is available on the course catalog: 

Education, M.A., Educational Administration